Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed House Bill 398 on Monday, a piece of legislation that will create the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council, the first organization of its kind in the United States.

The legislation gives the newly created council, as well as the Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission, the right to conduct research and engage in public hearings in order to determine pressing issues related to horse health and welfare, according to Lex18.com. The bill will also aid in the development of centers to care for neglected and abused horses, in addition to developing a certification program for equine rescues and retirement programs.

WFPL News reports that the council will consist of 12-13 members, to be selected in the fall. Members will all be active in the horse industry and come from a variety of equine backgrounds.

Equine Health and Welfare Alliance, a non-profit created by a group of veterinarians with the goal of improving horse care and welfare, proposed the bill. Democratic Rep. Tom McKee, of Cynthiana, Ky., chair of the House Agriculture and Small Business Committee, was the bill’s sponsor. The bill passed the Kentucky General Assembly in April.

Gov. Beshear signed the legislation during an event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., site of this year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.